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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2399, 9 December 1870, Page 2

Last Night’s Meeting.—We were agreeably surprised last night at the first burst of offence taken at the idea of an insult having been offered to oar Mayor. We thought Mr Grant had acquired some glimmering of reason, when he rose so theatrically to demand—“ Who called the meeting?” Not that the question was worth answering, or that wc were at all proud of our newly-enlightened champion. But, alas ! it was only a passing gleam ! The man who stood forth to do battle for the respect due to dignities, was the first to insult his Worship at the meeting, by insisting on taking precedence of him, anti refusing to obey bis mandate. Mr Fish showed himself superior to petty forms, and deserves the highest commendation for accepting the chair. The clique, of whose organisation to interrupt we were informed in the afternoon, have identified themselves with Mr Grant’s disgrace, lowered themselves in the eyes of every respectable man. and have tended to bring the reputation of the people of the City into contempt. They knew the demand “Who called the meeting?” was a cry that none but a fool would have uttered, for it was not a matter of public business they were called to consider; and they chose a fitting tool for their purpose in one whose trade is political buffoonery, and who is tolerated at public meetings only on account of the amusement that can be picked out of him. It was a pity the police interfered, for ultimately the common sense of the people would have put him down, although backed by M.P.C.’s and men who ought to have known better. We have received a letter charging several gentlemen with aiding and abetting in this disorder. We believe the writer mistaken in the object of at least one of them—a mistake easily made in the confusion. The letter is without the usual name and address; and ; as it tends to implicate gentlemen in the TOW on whose names we should be sorry to cast an undeserved stigma, we must decline to publish it. The Colonial Treasurer. Wo understand that a requisition is being numerously signed, asking the Hon. M r Vogel to address the citizens prior to leaving Dunedin. The Gourlay’s. — Yesterday evening the Masonic Hall was crowded, when the Gourlay familygavc their final entertainment. The performances went off with great spirit, and gave evident satisfaction. The Volunteers. —Tin’s afternoon Major Bathgate, Captain Kircaldy, Lieutenants F, A. Cargill and Jamieson, and Major .and Adjutant Atkinson, waited upon the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer on matter* connected with the Volunteer movement. Princess Theatre. —Last evening the theatre was not so well supported as the performance deserved. Everything went off admirably. If the theatre were as well supported as the efforts of the artists deserve it would be tilled nightly. The “ Hidden Hand ” will be repeated to-night, when wo hope there will bo a full house.

New Work.—We have deferred thanking Mr Wise for a copy of part third of the “Innocents Abroad,” under the idea that we should be able to review' it. Pressure on our time prevents us for the present, and it is the less required as the author’s name, Mark Twain, apart from its being a now “ Pilgrim’s Progress,” is a guarantee that it is worth perusal. Supreme Court. —The greatest portion of to-day’s sitting was occupied with the trial of the charge against bonis Selim >1 of perjury arising out of a charge preferred by him against two settlers at Otepopo, Gilliam and Moore, for conspiring to defraud the New Zealand Insurance Pomp,-my of the sum of LIOOO, which charge broke down. The Grown Prosecutor was assisted by Mr O’Meagher of Oamarn, and Mr Smith defended. Political. —As stated by Mr Vogel yesterday his Honor the Superintendent has forwarded his resignation to the Governor. The proclamation of dissolution will in all probability be received in the course of a fortnight, and the elections take place early in January. Wc hear that Mr Bradshaw has been asked to stand for the Waikaia district in the Assembly, when he will be opposed by aMr Deans. Mr Calder is up for Invercargill, and Mr Kinross for Mataura, the lion. Dillon Bell’s sent. The Annihilator. —Nearly every one has heard of this invention by Mr L. L. Smith and Captain Fitzgerald, which is to beat the French mitraillcuisc hollow. It is to tire a million bullets a minute. MajorGeneral Chute, writing to the Treasurer of Victoria, previous to his departure from that Colony, says the invention is likely to be most destructive, and very few artillery or gunners will he required for its service operations. He .adds—“ I fool certain that guns, &c., worked on these gentlemen’s principles would in a few hours annihilate an army. I am therefore of opinion the inventions are well worthy the consideration of the Victorian Government.” Deputations. During yesterday afternoon and to day several deputations waited upon the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Wo yesterday gave particulars of his interview with the Chamber of Commerce. Shortly afterwards, Messrs A. C. Strode, W. H. Reynolds, 11. B. Martin, G. Turnbull, John Gillies, L. O. Beal, J. Bathgate, A. Morris, Dr Richardson. F. Pautlin, G. Hepburn, trustees of the Savings’ Bank, accompanied by Mr Smith, the secretary, had a conference with him on matters connected with the bank. This morning, Messrs Peyman, D. Ross, and other gentlemen, waited upon Mr Vogel to consult him on questions of licenses to dealers in ammunition and other matters.

Testimonial.-—Wo have been requested to publish the following copy of a testimonial, numerously and influentially signed, which has been forwarded to the Commissioner of Police for presentation : “ As we understand that Constable William Hanlon is about to be removed from Dunedin to another district in the Province, we desire to express our appreciation of his services during his eight years residence amongst us, and to testify to his integrity and strict attention to his duties during that long period of service. We unite in bearing testimony to the ability he has displayed in many eases with which he has had to deal, and considering the nature of his calling, we feel sure that in the discharge of his duty he has done so without giving offence to anyone. It will at any time be a sincere gratification to us to hear that Constable Hanlon lias received promotion in the service.”

Yacht Club.—By request we publish the following report of the quarterly meeting of the Otago Yacht Club on Wednesday evening at the Athemeum. There was a full attendance of members, the ViceCommodore, Mr Henry Guthrie, presiding. It was decided that a sailing-match should take place at Port Chalmers towards the end of the season for prizes to he given from the Club funds, and a sum of L2O was placed at the disposal of tbc Sailing Committee for that purpose. After some discussion, it was resolved that before the termination of the present season a general gathering of the members and their friends should lake place at some convenient spot on the shores of the harbor, to bold a fete champetro under the auspices of the Club, and a sum not exceeding Lid was allocated to defray tbc expeiues. As this will lie the lirst occasion on which such a rendezvous has taken place, wo have no doubt there will be a very strong muster of our amateur sailors and their guests. Wc are glad to see that the Club, after having surmounted the numerous dilliculties that beset its infancy, is now in a nourishing and prosperous condition, not only as regards the number of its lleet, but also in a pecuniary point of view.

The annual ball of tlio Hand and Heart Lodge, M,U. L0.0.F., takes place at the Oddfellow's’ Hall this evening, and promises to be a very successful affair. Dancing will commence at nine o’clock. We are requested to intimate that the date of sailing of the Lord Ashley for Northern ports is postponed till Monday, the 12th inst., at two o’clock. The notice of alteration was received too late to correct the advertisement.